Iranian diplomat killed in Yemen

Gunmen killed an Iranian diplomat in a drive-by shooting in Yemen's capital Saturday Jan. 18,2014, security and medical officials said, the latest attack on Iran's diplomatic corps in the Middle East in recent months.

Iranian state television announced that Ali Asghar Asadi, Iran's economic attaché in Sanaa, was "martyred." The broadcast said Asadi was attacked while driving and suffered four gunshot wounds to the chest and stomach. It did not elaborate.

Three Yemeni security officials said Asadi was leaving the Iranian ambassador's house in the city's southern Hadda neighborhood when assailants opened fire. They said he died in a hospital. A medical official confirmed the diplomat's death. (AP)